Music is a powerful tool for conveying thoughts and emotions. Weddings are undoubtedly emotional events and couples often spend a lot of time thinking about the type of music they want to play at their reception.

With the 2017 wedding season gearing up, we went right to the source and asked three local DJs we often work with what they’re seeing couples choose for their first dance and what their go-to songs are to pack the dance floor.

First Dances

The first dance song often holds special meaning for the couple or the lyrics give a little insight into the way the couple views their relationship. Cindy Ormond of Ormond Entertainment finds that even couples who don’t typically listen to a lot of country music select country songs for their first dance. “It’s likely because country song writers pen powerful love stories which perfectly express wedding day emotions,” she notes.

To find unique first dance songs that aren’t “overplayed,” many couples are searching YouTube and finding original songs or uploads by new professional or amateur artists who have covered a popular song in a very stripped-down manner (say with only an acoustic guitar). However, Bill Milham of Black Tie Entertainment warns that most of these YouTube videos are of very poor audio quality and the legality of ripping out the audio is questionable. Listening through very small speakers on your phone or computer will not show the audio limitations that exist when these YouTube tracks are played through a large PA system.

Need some first dance song inspiration? Here’s what some Central New York couples will be dancing to this year:

“At Last,” Etta James

“Then,” Brad Paisley

“The Luckiest,” Ben Folds Five

“Over and Over Again,” Nathan Sykes

“From the Ground Up,” Dan & Shay

“Yours,” Russell Dickerson

“Still Falling,” Hunter Hayes

“Wonderful World,” Sam Cooke

“Your Song,” Elton John

“Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran

“How Long Will I Love You,” Ellie Goulding ​

Dance All Night

After the formalities are out of the way, high energy songs get people moving. “I stress to all of our clients that their goal should be to include music for everyone they invited. Some of that may have to be during cocktail hour & dinner, but it can really make a person's night just to hear a few songs they absolutely love,” says Brian Simons of Visa Versa Entertainment.

Selecting music that appeals across generations often means choosing a middle ground of current hits and classics. “A trend that's been going for the past few years, and I expect to continue, is the popularity of 90s - 2000s pop/hip-hop for dancing,” says Brian. “It's old enough and well-known enough that the people in their 40s-60s know and dance to it, and recent enough that couples and their friends can agree on it as well.” That means songs from The Spice Girls, N’Sync, and the Backstreet Boys are coming back, as well as other favorites.

Bruno Mars continues to have lots of appeal at wedding receptions. Bill Milham says, “Although released late last year, “24K” by Bruno Mars is still THE go to song that has the most multi-generational appeal and is a slam dunk for getting people dancing. It’s the kind of song you want to be careful to play at the absolute apex of the evening!”

Keep your guests on their feet with:

“Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Justin Timberlake

“Uptown Funk,” Bruno Mars

“Shut Up and Dance,” Walk the Moon

“This Is What You Came For,” Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna

“Shining,” DJ Khaled ft. Beyonce & Jay Z

“Don't Let Me Down,” Chainsmokers

​“Crocodile Rock,” Elton John

“Oh, What a Night,” The Four Seasons

“Hypnotize,” Notorious B.I.G.

“Let's Get Married,” Jagged Edge ft. Run DMC

“Let Me Clear My Throat,” DJ Kool

​Are you a sports nut? Cindy Ormond often sees couples select their team’s favorite anthem to get the crowd amped up. “’Shout’ for the Bills, “Sweet Caroline” for Red Sox fans, and of course, “New York, New York” for those who cheer the Yankees – these are dance floor winners every time when played for the right audience,” she says.”

Don’t think you have to save all these songs for after dinner, either. Bill Milham recommends sprinkling these songs into your cocktail hour music in addition to other upbeat tunes: “Cocktail hour is much more energetic, boisterous, and loud than many realize and the music should match this energy coming from your guests,” he says.

﻿What we do:﻿

The Events Company is a Syracuse event planningcompany specializing in the design, planning, and production of weddings, corporate events and meetings, galas, bashes, showers, milestone birthday and anniversary parties, and fundraisers.